Top 10: Harry Redknapp’s best transfer coups

Shrewd operator: Redknapp has a history of recruiting top players (Picture: Action Images)

Harry Redknapp launched a furious blast at his QPR flops after their humiliating FA Cup exit to League One MK Dons and claimed he now needs urgent reinforcements before Thursday’s transfer deadline to stave off relegation.

With Tal Ben Haim and Loic Remy the only January arrivals so far, time is running out for the great transfer magician to pull a few rabbits out of the proverbial bobble hat and construct a squad capable of pulling off another great escape – although he admits ‘scary gang warfare’ between agents is making life difficult even for him.

But as the nation licks its lips in anticipation for some more last-ditch madness and braces itself for the enduring image of the affable Harry peering out of his Range Rover to tell a rain-lashed Sky Sports News reporter he’s in for an out-of-contract Galactico or a ‘top, top’ Croatian, Metro salutes some of Harry’s best transfer deals.

Paul Merson – to Portsmouth, 2002Harry has always loved that creative spark, the unconventional genius, the player to unlock doors. Enter former Arsenal icon ‘Merse’, who Harry lured from Aston Villa on a free during his first spell at Fratton Park. Redknapp still calls the ex-England star his best acquisition for the goals and creative nous that fired Pompey into the top-flight in 2002-03.

Rafael van der Vaart – to Tottenham, 2010‘Harry? I’ve got a present for you’. So goes the story after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy let a delighted Redknapp know the Dutch World Cup finalist had been snapped up from Real Madrid for a cut-price £8million on August deadline day. The brilliant forward was a big hero at White Hart Lane and the top-scorer in their 2010-11 Champions League adventure.

Paolo Di Canio – to West Ham, 1999The fiery Italian was taken to Upton Park in January 1999 and his passion and goals are still remembered with misty-eyed nostalgia by fans of the Irons to this day. The former Sheffield Wednesday forward was seen as tainted goods for his infamous push on ref Paul Alcock four months earlier. He served an 11-match ban, but Harry was prepared to overlook his hot-blooded temperament and for just £1.7m captured an all-time Hammers legend.

Niko Kranjcar – to Portsmouth, 2006, and Tottenham, 2009
Redknapp managed to bag the brilliant Croat from Hajduk Split for a paltry £3.5m after his stellar performances at the 2006 World Cup. When Spurs came calling for the Pompey boss, Redknapp never forgot his lavishly-talented playmaker and raided cash-hit Fratton Park to team him up with countrymen Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka at White Hart Lane for a bargain bucket £2.5m. Or, in Harry talk: ‘The Croatians – great lads, fantastic trainers, never give you any problems’. Most Tottenham fans will tell you the popular midfielder was underused though, and were genuinely sad to see him depart in the summer for Dynamo Kiev. Could a move to Loftus Road see the love affair rekindled?

William Gallas – to Tottenham, 2010Ignoring the old north London dividing lines, Redknapp described his move for former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas as a ‘no-brainer’. The former France skipper soon won over the sceptical White Hart Lane faithful with some authoritative displays to help shore up their traditionally-shaky defence. His best days may be behind him but the 35-year-old has still produced some solid displays under Redknapp’s replacement, Andre Villas-Boas.

Old favourite: Redknapp has signed Jermain Defoe three times (Picture: AP)

Jermain Defoe – to West Ham, 1999, Portsmouth 2008, and Tottenham, 2009Harry’s been a sort of surrogate father to the England striker, taking him to West Ham from Charlton as a kid, and then luring back home to Tottenham for £15.75m in January 2009 after their time together at Portsmouth. He is Spurs’ top scorer this season, although ironically was down the pecking order in Harry’s last season in charge. One suspects they will be meet again one day.

Sulley Muntari – to Portsmouth, 2007
A classic Redknapp signing. Italian club Udinese had received a clutch of bids for the tough-tackling Ghana midfielder, but a club record £7m offer saw him move to Fratton Park where he was a key man under Redknapp’s stewardship and a member of the 2008 FA Cup-winning side before heading back to Serie A with Inter Milan.

Younes Kaboul – to Portsmouth, 2008, and Tottenham, 2010
Another to make the trip down the M3 from London to Portsmouth – then back again. The big French defender made 29 appearances in his initial injury-hit spell at Spurs before Redknapp raided the Londoners to bolster his Pompey defence. Once Harry was installed at White Hart Lane, he moved for Kaboul in January 2010, recognising his potential as a class act with a big future . Yet to play this season because of injury, Kaboul was immense last term and is a player of genuine quality. Surely one of Redknapp’s shrewdest signings.

Glen Johnson – to Portsmouth, 2006Redknapp took the England full-back to Fratton Park from Chelsea for £4m in January 2007 after an initial loan spell. Another member of Redknapp’s FA Cup-winning side in 2008, he left the club for Liverpool in a £17.5m deal, although Harry was also said to be in the hunt for his former player at Spurs.

Star buy: Glen Johnson joined Redknapp at Portsmouth (Picture: Getty)

Loic Remy – to QPR, 2013
OK, so it’s too early to know if the Marsaille international can provide the firepower to keep QPR in the Premier League, but when Rangers fans heard Redknapp was taking over at Loftus Road, this is the sort of big name they would have hoped the new gaffer could cast his spell over and snub big-name clubs. £7m? Done deal, jubbly.